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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Universities in Barcelona for International Students: Public Universities, Private Schools, Costs and Admission

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Barcelona and its suburbs have four public universities: the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), plus private universities and business schools. The base price of a public bachelor's in Catalonia for 2026/27 is $20 (€17.69) per credit, about $1,210 (€1,061) for 60 credits. Non-EU students without Spanish residence do not pay that everywhere: UAB charges the same, UPC charges $34 (€30) per credit and UPF's first year costs about $7,760 (€6,800). Admission is a competitive ranking with scores out of 14, and some courses are taught in Catalan.

If your school certificate is from outside the EU, the questions that decide the outcome are the teaching language of each group, the PCE exams, the admission round you enter and the fee your chosen university sets for non-EU students. Below: a map of the universities, 2026/27 cut-off marks, public and private fees with a breakdown, and the application sequence.

The Historic Building of the University of Barcelona with its clock tower on Plaça de la Universitat, Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Vanbasten 23 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vista_frontal_de_la_Universidad_de_Barcelona.JPG), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Which universities are in Barcelona {#section-1}

### Public universities

| University | Where you study | Students / international share | THE 2026 | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [University of Barcelona (UB)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-barcelona) | City centre plus Clínic, Bellvitge and other campuses | ~45,000 / 12% | =145 | Medicine, biology, pharmacy, law, economics, languages; the widest choice |
| [Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-autonoma-barcelona) | Campus in Cerdanyola del Vallès, a Barcelona suburb | ~33,000 / 16% | 183 | Campus life, veterinary science, biotechnology, business and economics in English |
| [Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-pompeu-fabra) | City centre (Ciutadella, Poblenou) and Mar | ~12,000 / 17% | =187 | Economics and business, political science, communication, medicine |
| Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) | Barcelona, Terrassa, Castelldefels and others | ~24,000 / 13% | 601–800 | Engineering, architecture, data science, artificial intelligence |

Student numbers come from THE data and are rounded.

### Private universities, affiliated centres and business schools

- Universitat Ramon Llull (URL) is a private federation that includes ESADE business school, the IQS chemistry institute, La Salle engineering and Blanquerna (psychology, communication, sport). THE puts its international share at about 24%. ESADE's bachelor's programmes cost $24,305 (€21,300) for the first year, or $27,957 (€24,500) for double degrees; a 25% deposit reserves the place. Each programme page states its teaching language.
- UIC Barcelona (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya) is a private university with medicine, dentistry and architecture; about 32% of its students are international. First year 2026/27: business administration in English $14,515 (€12,720; with compulsory fees $15,220, or €13,335), architecture $14,583 (€12,780), medicine and dentistry $21,224 (€18,600). Medicine has 100 places and its own selection.
- Universitat Abat Oliba CEU is a small private university in Barcelona, part of the CEU group, which publishes its programmes and fees on its website.
- Affiliated centres (centres adscrits) of public universities include the design schools ELISAVA and BAU and ESERP under UVic-UCC, CETT (tourism and hospitality) under UB and Tecnocampus in Mataró under UPF. They fill places through the same Catalan application system, but each sets its own, higher, prices.
- Business schools include ESADE, IESE (the University of Navarra's school, with a Barcelona campus), EADA, and schools with English-taught bachelor's programmes: we profile [EU Business School](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-eu-barcelona) and [GBSB Global Business School](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-global-business-school-barcelona).

Private universities are outside the Catalan score-based ranking and run their own selection (tests, interviews, school grades), but an official degree still requires your school certificate to be recognised in Spain. For a private university or business school, check three things: whether the degree is an official one listed in the RUCT register, who awards it (the school, a Spanish university or a foreign partner) and whether the programme supports a student visa.

## Which language are Barcelona degrees taught in? {#section-2}

Catalan public universities teach in Catalan and Spanish, with some groups in English. The language of each group appears in the course plan (pla docent) and can differ from course to course and year to year.

What this means in practice:

- if you only speak Spanish, check how many first-year courses are taught in Catalan and ask admissions about Catalan courses for international students;
- the June admission round requires the general block of the PAU or PCE, which includes Spanish language and literature, so you cannot enter a public bachelor's without solid Spanish;
- fully English-taught programmes exist at public universities, but there are few of them.

| English-taught programme, 2026/27 | University | Cut-off mark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International Business (Empresa Internacional) | UB | 11.290 |
| Business Administration | UAB | 9.214 |
| Economics | UAB | 9.660 |
| Tourism | UAB | 5.000 |
| International Business Economics | UPF | 12.334 |
| Tourism, CETT (English-taught group) | UB | 5.000 |

For English-taught options across the country see [English-taught degrees in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain).

## How admission to Barcelona's public universities works {#section-3}

All Catalan public universities and UVic-UCC admit through one system, the Portal d'Accés a la Universitat. You submit one application and rank programmes by preference.

For a school certificate from outside the EU, the Catalan government's rules are as follows.

The June round is the main one. You can take part only if you have passed the PAU or PCE:

1. Apply for recognition (homologación) of your certificate at Spain's Ministry of Education if you live outside Catalonia.
2. Pass the general block of the PAU or PCE in four subjects: Spanish language and literature, a foreign language (English, German, French or Italian), history or history of philosophy, and one core track subject such as mathematics. The average of the block must be at least 4.
3. Your access score is 0.4 × the block average + 0.6 × your recognised school average, and it must be at least 5.
4. Up to 4 extra points come from your two best grades in subjects weighted for the chosen programme, which gives the maximum of 14.
5. If your recognition has not arrived by the deadline but you have passed the exams, apply anyway. You add the recognition later; if it arrives after the deadline, you are allocated as in the first allocation.

The September round is the fallback. You can apply without exams, with only a recognised certificate or even the receipt of your recognition application. These applicants are allocated last, and popular programmes are usually full by September.

For a non-EU school certificate, Catalonia requires recognition (homologación) plus the exams: a UNEDasiss accreditation without recognition does not get you into the June round. You sit the PCE themselves through UNEDasiss, including at exam centres outside Spain. For the national process see [applying to Spanish universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-spanish-universities).

### Cut-off marks 2026/27 in Barcelona

Figures from the first allocation of the June round (published 10 July 2026), column for applicants with PAU or PCE. Later allocations may lower them slightly.

| Programme | UB | UAB | UPF | UPC |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Medicine | 12.685 (Clínic) / 12.500 (Bellvitge) | 12.354 | 12.534 | — |
| Business administration | 9.340 | 9.732 | 10.906 | — |
| Economics | 9.230 | 9.228 | 10.722 | — |
| Law | 9.736 | 9.708 | 10.920 | — |
| Psychology | 9.660 | 9.766 | — | — |
| Computer engineering | 9.590 | 9.182 | — | 10.008 |
| Mathematics | 11.870 | 11.632 | — | 12.552 |
| Biotechnology | 11.446 | 10.989 | — | — |
| Journalism | — | 9.864 | 10.800 | — |
| International relations / Global studies | — | 11.454 | 11.714 | — |
| Data science / AI | — | — | — | 12.006 / 11.514 |
| Architecture | — | — | — | 9.838 |

A dash means the university does not offer that programme in the Barcelona area or it has a different name.

UPF's Global Studies deserves a closer look. Besides the general ranking (11.714), it has a quota for applicants from non-EU school systems without reciprocity agreements, and in the first 2026 allocation that quota's cut-off was 5.000, meaning everyone who met the requirements got a place. That promises nothing for 2027, but for applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan or Central Asia the quota is the most realistic way into UPF. The first two years of Global Studies are taught in English.

For how to calculate your score and choose PCE subjects, see [universities in Spain for international students](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-spain-for-international-students).

### Timeline for 2027/28

Catalonia will publish 2027 dates in spring. Based on the 2026 cycle:

- by 28 April: registration for the spring PCE session (it opened on 16 March in 2026);
- late May to June: PCE exams (25–29 May 2026 in Spain);
- June to 7 July: application on the portal; public universities nationwide must keep the window open until at least 7 July for applicants from non-EU systems;
- around 10 July: first allocation, followed by several more;
- September: second round for those without exams or without a place.

## How much it costs to study in Barcelona {#section-4}

Catalonia's 2026/27 price decree (Decret 96/2026) sets a base of $20 (€17.69) per bachelor's credit and $22 (€19.37) per credit for most master's programmes. It also allows each university to set its own price for non-EU students without residence, up to the full cost of teaching, and a student stay permit does not count as residence. So the first thing to check is your university's fee schedule.

| First year, 2026/27 | EU citizens and residents | Non-EU citizens without residence |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UAB, bachelor's | $1,211 (€1,061) + about $160 (€140) in fees | same price, no separate rate |
| UPC, bachelor's | $1,211 (€1,061) for 60 credits | $2,054 (€1,800): $34 (€30) per credit |
| UPF, bachelor's (most programmes) | $1,372 (€1,202) with fees | $7,760 (€6,800) with fees |
| UAB, master's | $22 (€19.37) per credit | $75–115 (€66–100) per credit, $4,519–6,847 (€3,960–6,000) for 60 credits |
| UPC, master's | about $1,826 (€1,600) for 60 credits | about $3,652 (€3,200) for 60 credits ($50 (€45) per credit) |
| UPF, master's | $1,486 (€1,302) for 60 credits | $6,561 (€5,750) for 60 credits ($105 (€93.50) per credit) |

UB publishes its prices in its annual enrolment rules. Before you build a budget, check whether they include a separate non-resident, non-EU rate for your programme.

These figures cover first-year credits and compulsory fees only. At UAB that means $80 (€69.80) for student records, $80 (€70) for learning services and a few euros of insurance, about $1,370 (€1,201) in total. Retaking a failed course costs more: at UAB $25 (€21.85) per credit the second time and $55 (€47.34) the third. Checking a foreign degree for master's access costs $249 (€218.15).

Affiliated centres and private universities set their own prices. Benchmarks: at UIC Barcelona the 2026/27 first year costs from $14,515 (€12,720) for business administration to $21,224 (€18,600) for medicine; ESADE's current fee schedule lists $24,305 (€21,300) a year. For English-taught business schools, see the breakdowns in our [EU Business School](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-eu-barcelona) and [GBSB](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-global-business-school-barcelona) profiles.

### Housing and living costs

Barcelona is one of Spain's most expensive cities for rent. For the student visa you need to show at least 100% of IPREM, which is $685 (€600) for each month of stay in 2026. Consulates accept this as a minimum, but it rarely covers a room, food and transport in Barcelona itself.

UAB's campus residence, Vila Universitària, gives an official benchmark (prices from 1 September 2026, 10-month contract, utilities extra):

| Option | Per month |
| --- | --- |
| Shared room in a 5-person flat | $321 (€281) |
| Single room in a 5-person flat | $443 (€388) |
| Single room in a 3-person flat | $513 (€450) |
| Single studio | $702 (€615) |

Shorter contracts include utilities but cost more. The city itself is dearer: Idealista puts the average room in a shared flat in Barcelona at $685 (€600) a month in the second quarter of 2026, the highest among Spain's large cities. University residences cannot house everyone. See [the cost of studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-spain) and [student housing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-spain).

## Which Barcelona university suits whom {#section-5}

| Your situation | Where to look |
| --- | --- |
| Medicine in Spanish, ready to compete | UB, UAB, UPF; you need more than 12.3 and strong biology and chemistry PCE |
| Economics or business in English at a public university | UAB (business and economics in English), UB (International Business) |
| Engineering, data or AI | UPC; check the campus, as some programmes run outside Barcelona |
| Tight budget, public programme needed | UAB: no non-EU surcharge on bachelor's degrees; UPF's first year costs 5–6 times more for non-EU students |
| UPF in English with a non-EU school certificate | Global Studies, with its quota for non-EU school systems |
| Your score is too low or you do not want to sit PCE | Private universities with their own selection: UIC Barcelona, ESADE, Abat Oliba CEU; first year from about $14,500 |
| Design or hospitality | ELISAVA, BAU, CETT: admission through the common system, prices set by the centre |
| You need to improve your Spanish first | A one-year language course with PCE preparation; see [Spanish language courses in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-spanish-language-courses-in-spain) |

### If you are comparing Barcelona with other cities

The same UNEDasiss and PCE route leads to other regions, with different fees and languages. In Madrid non-EU students pay a surcharge, but nearly everything is taught in Spanish: see [Complutense](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-complutense), [the Autonomous University of Madrid](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-autonoma-madrid) and our guide to [universities in Madrid](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-madrid). Valencia uses Valencian alongside Spanish and is cheaper to live in: [University of Valencia](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-valencia). Spanish-speaking classic universities with lower living costs include the [University of Granada](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-granada) and the [University of Salamanca](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-salamanca). For an English-taught hospitality bachelor's, compare the Barcelona schools with [Les Roches Marbella](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-roches-marbella). For the country overview see [studying in Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain).

## Which mistakes to avoid {#section-6}

- Assuming everyone pays $20 (€17.69) per credit. UPF and UPC set their own rates for non-EU students without residence, and master's programmes are 2–5 times more expensive for them almost everywhere.
- Looking only at rankings. UB, UAB and UPF are close in THE 2026; the teaching language, campus and cut-off matter more for you.
- Not checking the campus. UAB is in Cerdanyola del Vallès, some UPC programmes are in Terrassa or Castelldefels, and UPF's Tecnocampus is in Mataró.
- Counting on September. Without PAU or PCE you are allocated last, and popular programmes are full by then.
- Ignoring Catalan. A programme can carry the same name in Spanish and Catalan while its groups are taught in different languages.
- Confusing public prices with affiliated-centre prices. ELISAVA or CETT are in the common application system but charge their own fees.
- Leaving the visa late. The consulate asks for the application two months before classes start; residents of the Moscow consular district apply through BLS visa centres. See [the student visa for Spain](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-spain).

## FAQ {#faq}

### How much does a bachelor's at a public university in Barcelona cost?

The 2026/27 base price is $20 (€17.69) per credit, so 60 credits come to $1,211 (€1,061) plus fees. At UAB the first year is about $1,370 (€1,201), and non-EU students pay the same. UPC charges non-resident non-EU students $34 (€30) per credit, and UPF's first year costs them about $7,760 (€6,800).

### How much does a private university in Barcelona cost?

In 2026/27 the first year at UIC Barcelona costs from $14,515 (€12,720) for business administration to $21,224 (€18,600) for medicine and dentistry. ESADE's bachelor's programmes cost $24,305 (€21,300) a year. Accommodation is not included.

### Can I study in Barcelona without Catalan?

Yes, but not on every programme. The course plan lists the language of each group. English-taught programmes do not need Catalan; on Spanish-taught ones some courses may be in Catalan.

### Do I need the PCE exams to get into a Barcelona university?

For the June round, yes: applicants with a non-EU school certificate must pass the general block of the PAU or PCE. Without exams you can apply only in September, when places are allocated last.

### Which is the best university in Barcelona?

In THE 2026 the University of Barcelona ranks highest (=145), followed by UAB (183) and UPF (=187). The specific programme, language and cut-off matter more for your choice.

### Are there English-taught bachelor's degrees at Barcelona's public universities?

Yes: business administration, economics and tourism at UAB, International Business at UB, International Business Economics at UPF and tourism at CETT (affiliated with UB). Cut-offs in 2026/27 ranged from 5 to 12.334.

### What score do I need for medicine in Barcelona?

In the first 2026/27 allocation, cut-offs ranged from 12.354 (UAB) to 12.685 (UB, Clínic campus) on the 14-point scale.

## Sources {#section-8}

- [Generalitat de Catalunya — university access with foreign studies](https://universitats.gencat.cat/ca/preinscripcions/acces-universitat-estudis-estrangers/)
- [Generalitat de Catalunya — tuition 2026/27](https://universitats.gencat.cat/ca/acces-universitat/sobre-preus-beques/preus-estudis-universitaris/)
- [Generalitat de Catalunya — cut-off marks, first June 2026 allocation](https://universitats.gencat.cat/web/.content/02_preinscripcio/enllac-documents/notes-de-tall/Notes-tall-1a-assignacio_juny_2026.pdf)
- [DOGC — Decree 96/2026 on public university prices in Catalonia, 2026/27](https://dogc.gencat.cat/ca/document-del-dogc/?documentId=1047495)
- [UAB — 2026/27 fee schedule with non-EU rates (PDF)](https://www.uab.cat/doc/preus2025_2026)
- [UPC — bachelor's fees 2026/27](https://www.upc.edu/ca/graus/preus-i-beques)
- [UPC — master's fees 2026/27](https://www.upc.edu/ca/masters/preus-i-beques)
- [UPF — bachelor's fees 2026/27](https://www.upf.edu/web/graus/preus)
- [UPF — master's fees 2026/27](https://www.upf.edu/web/masters/preus)
- [UIC Barcelona — Medicine, 2026/27 price](https://www.uic.es/en/estudis-uic/medicine-and-health-sciences/bachelors-degree-medicine)
- [UIC Barcelona — Business Administration in English, 2026/27 price](https://www.uic.es/en/estudis-uic/business-administration/bachelors-degree-business-administration-and-management-english)
- [ESADE — bachelor's tuition fees](https://www.esade.edu/bachelor/en/degrees/tuition-fees)
- [UAB Vila Universitària — room prices from 1 September 2026](https://vilauniversitaria.uab.cat/en/choose-your-flat/individual-room/)
- [Idealista — average rents, Q2 2026](https://www.idealista.com/news/inmobiliario/vivienda/2026/09/22/915080-alquilar-solo-en-espana-sale-caro-de-los-425-euros-de-una-habitacion-a-los-984)
- [UAB — bachelor's fees and extra charges 2026/27](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudis/grau/matricula/preus-dels-estudis-1345662202708.html)
- [UAB — access for non-EU school leavers](https://www.uab.cat/web/estudis/grau/acces-als-estudis/estudiants-internacionals-batxillerat-no-ue-1345662115829.html)
- [UNEDasiss — key dates 2026](https://unedasiss.uned.es/fechas_clave)
- [BOE — application deadlines at public universities for 2026/27](https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2026/05/04/pdfs/BOE-A-2026-9696.pdf)
- [Times Higher Education — World University Rankings 2026](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking)
- [Consulate General of Spain in Moscow — student visa](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/moscu/ru/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx)

Dollar amounts use the ECB rates of 23 and 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411 and $1.1355) and are rounded.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [English-Taught Degrees in Spain: Where to Study Without Spanish and What It Costs in 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-spain)
- [Applying to Spanish Universities: A Step-by-Step Plan for Non-EU Applicants in 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-spanish-universities)
- [Cost of Studying in Spain in 2026/27: Public Credit Prices, Non-EU Surcharges, Private Universities and Living Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-spain)
- [Spanish Student Visa in 2026: Documents, IPREM Funds, Applying from Russia and the TIE Card](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-spain)
- [Studying in Spain for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-spain)
- [EU Business School (Barcelona)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-eu-barcelona)

Updated: September 2026